Butterfly Rewards - earn free credits and redeem for good causes - learn more!
my care2
make a difference

community & fun

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

The Healing Power of Spiritual Breathing
Jun 24, 2008

The Healing Power of Spiritual Breathing



                         

In the beginning, we are told, "was the word," but behind the word is
an even greater power: the breath. Have you noticed that words are
simply specific formations, shapes and movements of breath? In the end
days, it is said: all the secrets and mysteries will be revealed.
Those end days must be approaching, because today, the breath itself
seems to be revealing those secrets to us. It seems that the secret of
life has been right under our nose all the time! But it should come as
no surprise, since almost every spiritual teacher throughout time has
pointed to the breath in some way, and every contemporary healer makes
use of the breath at some point. Almost all the ancient languages use
the same word for air, wind or breath, as they do for life, vital
energy, or spirit; or the animating principle of life. This principle,
this spirit of life, is called chi, ki, prana, or energy. The breath
is often overlooked and underestimated in our search for the source
and meaning of life, yet the author of Genesis tells us tells us that
"God took the dust of the earth and formed the body or man, and
breathed into the nostrils of man the Breath of Life, and man became a
living soul." So, is it any wonder that today, we can find our way
back to God, we can meet the source of life by turning to the
breath--or more specifically--to what is referred to in the Book of
Genesis as neshemet ruach chayim: "the spirit of life within the
breath"? The author of Genesis understood something that the yogis
have been teaching since early times: that there is a difference
between the air we breathe and the life giving principle contained
within it. This inner breath also called chi, ki., prana or energy
runs through body, mind and soul. In German, the word Atman means both
soul and breath. The movement of spirit in the body is reflected in
the movement of breath. As the Sufi Master Hazrat Inayat Kahn writes:
"The healing power of Christ, the magnetism of Mohammed, the
miraculous power of Moses, the charm of Krishna, and the inspiration
of the Buddha-all these were attained by breath." The Course in
Miracles teaches us that: "A universal theology is impossible, but a
universal experience is not only possible, it is necessary." I believe
that this universal experience is the breath, is breathing! In the Nei
Ching: Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Chinese Medicine, we read:
"In ancient times there were the so-called spiritual men; they
mastered the universe, and controlled yin and yang. They breathed the
essence of life, and were independent in preserving the spirit. Their
muscles and flesh remained unchanged. In his "Book of Secrets"
Rajneesh/Osho writes: ""If you can do something with breath, you will
attain to the source of life. If you can do something with breath, you
can transcend time and space. If you can do something with the breath,
you will be in the world and also beyond it." He said: "there are
certain points in the breathing which you have never observed, and
those points are the doors, the nearest doors to you, from where you
can enter into a different world, into a different being, a different
consciousness..." I believe that Spiritual Breathing is to
psychosomatic illness what penicillin was to infection. Spiritual
Breathing is the quickest way to clear your head, settle your stomach,
calm your nerves, and open your heart. It will uplift you, center you
and ground you in your being. Spiritual Breathing opens your heart to
love, and fills your body with light and life. In the Songs of
Solomon, we read "Breath restores me to my exact self." Maybe that's
why one of the most powerful modern spiritual breathing methods is
called "Rebirthing." It offers a spiritual technology of awakening and
purification. The breath it seems to me is the fire of the heart--the
heart of love. The Quakers have a wonderful tradition. At their Sunday
service, people simply sit in silence and meditation, waiting, open to
inspiration. And when it comes, when the spirit moves them, they
speak. They say their piece (peace). They also held this great idea:
"Now and then, you need to open all the doors and windows of your
heart and soul, and you need to let the spirit of God blow through
you! Breathwork is a spiritual technology of awakening. When you work
with the breath, you automatically develop spiritual skills. On the
physical, material level we have solids, liquids, and gases. To play
with breath is to play with the subtlest form of matter. That's why
people who have mastered spiritual breathing can accomplish so much on
the level of subtle energies. Spiritual Breathing makes it clear that
the original creative life force energy that built our bodies in the
womb is still available to us, to maintain and even rebuild the body.
Yoga is the science of union (with God). And yoga holds as a central
truth that Breath is the connection, the bridge, between mind and
body, between the visible and the invisible. Breath connects us to
each other, and it connects all of us to God, nature and existence.
Every breath can be a prayer, an invitation, a demonstration of our
faith, our trust. It can be an expression of forgiveness, gratitude
and surrender. Tremendous power is to be gained through combining
mediation and breathing. In the mid '70s, I was inspired by Richard
Alpert (Ram Dass). He taught us to practice a beautiful spiritual
breathing technique: On the inhale think "the power of God is within
me," and on the exhale think "the grace of God surrounds me." Each of
us must walk our own unique path. And that is the empowering aspect of
Breathwork: no one can do it for you! Yet, we are all breathing the
same breath. The breath that is in me now was in you before, will be
in the bird flying overhead tomorrow, was in the dog walking down the
street yesterday. It is not a just a philosophy. It is a fact in
reality! The same atoms and molecules of air that same breath that
Jesus breathed, Moses breathed, Buddha breathed, that same breath is
flowing into you right now! If you really want to go into the deepest
realities of life, and to reach the highest states of consciousness,
then you will have to awaken to the breath. It is the path, or at
least the doorway to your essence, your core, your soul, your heart of
hearts. Breath and breathing techniques are now being taught all over
the world. Breath awareness leads to healing of stress, emotional
problems, substance abuse, to the healing of unconscious, blocks,
fears, and anxieties. I believe that it is due to the Angel of Breath
who is at work on the planet. This Angel of Breath brings fire and
light to everyone on the spiritual path. Evolutionary contractions in
the form or natural disasters, social upheaval, wars and rumors of
wars, are doing the work of pushing spiritual seekers out of their
comfort zone and into the dynamic working zone of spiritual awakening,
purification, and rebirth. It seems to me that everyone is born a
spiritual master. But we forget, we loose touch with our essence, our
purpose, our source. The sadness, anger, love of a child is total: it
seems infinite. That is a reflection of the power and nature of their
spirit. As children, we are forced to choose between following outer
authority and listening to our inner divinity. You can begin to
incorporate the life of spirit into your body and being. Simply
breathe in a conscious way. Practice breathing in a peaceful way, an
accepting way, a trusting way, loving way, a grateful way, a forgiving
way, an inviting way, a surrendering way Incorporating these
attributes through spiritual breathing makes manifesting them in
reality easy and effortless! More than knowing, believing or doing it,
when you are breathing it, you are "living" it. You are "being" it.
Opening and relaxing the breath is like opening the doors to your
soul. Allow every fiber of your being to be bathed in this life that
flows from God. Spiritual breathing has been called a biological
experience of divine energy. It takes courage to live a unique life,
inspired life. It requires that you turn to your own inner truth. That
inner truth is reflected and expressed through every breath you take.
Breathing is like a language: the language of the soul. Spiritual
Breathing can take you to the eye of the storms in your life.
Spiritual breathing can help you to balance yin and yang, peace and
power, rhythm and harmony. Learn from the breath itself. Follow your
own bliss! Start by watching your breath. Do what the Buddha did at
the moment of enlightenment: follow the breath as it comes and goes.
Feel the sensations of breath, the movement of breath in you. Be a
witness. Observe, notice, pay attention to what is happening inside of
you in each moment. Add to that the willingness to let go, to
surrender. And then begin to conspire with the life that surrounds and
permeates everything in existence. Breathe consciously. Feel the
expansion and contraction of life! Celebrate the flow of life, and
marvel at the mysteries that life reveals to you through the breath.
Seek out others who are committed to breath mastery. Share your
experience. No one is free until we are all free. But if only one of
us gets free, everyone will be liberated! Breathe peace and love,
freedom and safety, energy and aliveness, love and light. And watch
the world within you and around you change forever.

www.breathmastery.com
Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Tuesday June 24, 2008, 9:13 am
Tags: [add/edit tags]

Group Discussions start a discussion
Comments
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
Compose your comment and submit:

Author

Angel H.
Author Tools:
Compose New Share
female , married
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
ANGEL'S SHARES
Jul
13
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Hi everyone! Well my old Care2 page is broken and unfixable sooooo I have decided to open a new account. I will be leaving both open for quite a while but will start posting from my new one exclusively once i get all of you over to the new one . I al...
Jul
11
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Tools In Traditional WitchcraftAuthor: Pagan SanctuaryWhat is left on the altar or used by the practitioner are tools. TheseCan be anything such as candles, incense, oils, poppets, an athame,Cords, herbs, chalice, bowls water salt, crystals, glyph, ru...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Hi everyone! Well my old Care2 page is broken and unfixable sooooo I have decided to open a new account. I will be leaving both open for quite a while but will start posting from my new one exclusively once i get all of you over to the new one *wink*...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Hi everyone! Well my old Care2 page is broken and unfixable sooooo I have decided to open a new account. I will be leaving both open for quite a while but will start posting from my new one exclusively once i get all of you over to the new one *wink*...


ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM ANGEL'S NETWORK
Nov
26
(0 comments  |  discussions )
If you want to write a petition here at Care2 please specify your Target. For example: Target Keith Peters North Carolina Zoo Then name your Sponsor: Barb Knight Of course "why" you're petitoning needs to be strong as well: I am petitioning becau...
by Mari B.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Africa's Witch Children (1 of 5) Aired November 23, 2009 on C4 - Play all videos: http://bit.ly/7oRQHQ - A year ago, Dispatches told the story of how children in Africa's Niger Delta were being denounced by Christian pastors as ...http://www.care2....
Nov
25
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Children occupy a unique status in our society.  As minors, they are vulnerable and in need of safeguards to ensure their protection.  In 1979, in recognition of children's special position, the United Nations began efforts to develop an...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
I am very THANK-FULL for m  great FRIENDS!!!   *yes*  *hug* As you prepare to enjoy your bounty . . .  take a moment to think of those who are STARVING!!! . . . http://www.change.org/act ions/view/a...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Sean Goldman is still in Brazil! Please make sure that you have signed the petition demanding the return of this child to his father. Currently, the petition has over 55,000 signatures but needs as much support as possible. click here Also, please v...


ads keep care2 free
MORE MEMBER BLOGS
Nov 27
Blog: Chinese Collection by Sujan M.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — <a href="http://www.atoncer. com/collectibles/culture/ chinese/snuff-bottles.htm ">chinese snuff bottles   </a><a href="http://www.atoncer. com/collectibles/culture/ chinese/china-bowls-plate s.htm">chinese  bowls </a>... more
Blog: recycled t-shirts become fragrant sachets by Past Member .
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Use these little (4″x4″) handmade lavender-filled sachets in place of chemical dryer sheets in your laundry or to freshen a clothes drawer.  Made only from used t-shirts these cute messengers of the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, ... more
Blog: Man Makes Friends With Mike The Tiger by Dee D.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Man Makes Friends With Mike The TigerBy Sarah RosarioPosted: Nov 25, 2009 5:19 PMUpdated: Nov 27, 2009 8:49 AMHe's called the "Tiger Man" or the "Tiger Whisperer" whatever you call him, he's now a You Tube sensation. In fact people come to see him as... more
Blog: Black M-51 Engineers Field & Laptop Bag by Past Member .
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Cool! This is one of our most popular bags. Perfect for running around town or for trips. Makes a Great Gift. >> Special Offers and Product Promotions Related PostsNovember 26, 2009 -- CLASSIC MESSENGER BAG Heavyweight Canvas School Laptop... more
Blog: L'ultimatum climatique - copenhague-2009.com by Cristina S.
(0 comments  |  0 discussions ) — Check out http://www.copenhague-200 9.com/ more
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved